Multi-compartment food storage container

ABSTRACT

A multi-compartment food storage container is adapted for stand-alone use or for use in a lunchbox or lunch bag. The container includes a lower portion defining a plurality of compartments, an upper portion defining at least one compartment pivotably connected in a sealing engagement to the lower portion and a cover hingably connected to seal the upper portion. The compartments are suitable for storing food items in a sanitary manner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is related to Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/281,620, filed Nov. 20, 2009, and Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/288,056, filed Dec. 18, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container with multiple compartments for storing food items and for use in conjunction with a lunchbox, lunch bags or other portable container. The container can also be used as a stand-alone lunchbox that need not be used in conjunction with a lunchbox or insulated lunch bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various configurations of portable food containers have been developed over the years. See, for example—U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,192 to Pomroy et al. which discloses a lunch holder for carrying a plurality of food products; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,302 to Maydwell et al. which relates to a lunchbox including multiple compartments for storing food items, school supplies and dental hygiene materials.

Neither of those products are suitable for removable, but secure, insertion within a lunchbox or lunch bag. There is a need for a versatile, multi-compartment container that can be used alone or in combination with a lunchbox or lunch bag to store food items in a sanitary and readily accessible manner.

Lunch boxes are currently available in metal or plastic. Lunch bags, on the other hand, which are currently in common use are usually made of an insulated, water-resistant, polyester. Food items stored in a polyester lunch bag can be easily crushed. Also, if food items leak within the lunch bag, the bag can be difficult to clean and susceptible to mold or bacterial growth. Thus, there is a need for a rigid compact food container that can be secured within a lunch bag to protect food items and yet can be easily removed for cleaning. Such a container would also eliminate the need for using disposable plastic bags.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multi-compartment food storage container adapted for use in a lunchbox, lunch bag or the like. The container can also be used as a stand-alone lunchbox that does not need to be inserted into a lunchbox or insulated lunch bag. The container includes a lower portion defining a plurality of compartments, and an upper portion pivotably connected to the lower portion. The upper portion defines at least one compartment and includes a hingably connected cover. The compartments are suitable for storing food items in a sanitary manner. The upper and lower portions press-fit, one within the other, and can be molded from a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material, such as a polypropylene, polystyrene or polyurethane, and combinations thereof. The container eliminates the need to use disposable plastic bags.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a rigid storage container for use in combination with a lunchbox or lunch bag, the container comprising a lower portion defining at least one compartment for holding a food item; an upper portion defining at least one compartment for holding additional food items, the upper portion being hingably connected to the lower portion for movement from a closed position to an open position; and a cover hingably connected to the upper portion for movement from a closed position to an open position, whereby the upper portion effectively seals the lower portion when the upper portion is in the closed position and the cover effectively seals the upper portion when the cover is in the closed position. Stop means associated with the upper portion and the lower portion defines the maximum arc of travel of the upper portion relative to the lower portion from the closed position to the open position within a range of about 90 degrees to about 120 degrees. Stop means associated with the cover and the upper position can also be provided to limit the maximum arc of travel of the cover relative to the upper portion from the closed position to the open position within a range of about 90 degrees to about 120 degrees. In an alternative embodiment, a removable panel can be included to separate the upper portion from the lower portion, and a similar removable panel can be used to separate the cover from the upper portion. Hook-and-loop fastening means, or the like, can removably secure the container within the lunchbox or lunch bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which comprise a portion of the present disclosure:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the closed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 secured within a lunch bag with the cover of the upper portion raised and the upper portion in the open position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the upper portion raised and the lower portion in the open position;

FIG. 5 is an additional perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the upper portion raised and the lower portion in the open position;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of taken along this plane 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 in the closed position;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 with the cover of the upper portion raised and the upper portion in the open position;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 with the upper portion raised and the lower portion in the open position;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 with the upper portion raised and the lower portion in the open position;

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 in the closed position; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the plane 13-13 of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-6. As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, the present device 10 comprises a rigid container suitable for stand-alone use or for removable placement within a lunchbox, lunch bag or the like. The device includes a lower portion 12, an upper portion 14 hingably connected to and sealingly engaging the lower portion 12, and a hinged cover 16 secured to and sealingly engaging the upper portion 14. The above components are molded from a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material, such as a polypropylene, polystyrene or polyurethane, and combinations thereof, to nest or press-fit within adjacent components.

The lower portion 12 includes a base 18 and side walls 20 about the perimeter of the base. A series of inner walls 22, along with the side walls 20, define a plurality of lower compartments 24 within the lower portion 12. Three compartments are shown, but more or less compartments can be provided depending on the use requirements. The back end of each side wall 20 includes a raised portion or stop member 26, each of which includes a hollowed portion or socket 28 along an interior surface thereof (see FIG. 6) or a through-bore (see FIG. 7) for receiving an upper portion hinge pin 30 as described herein. In particular, the back ends of opposite sides of the upper portion 14 include opposed cut-away portions 32 and hinge pins 30 for pivotal connection to corresponding opposed stop members 26 and sockets 28 of the side walls 24 of the lower portion 12.

The lower surface of the base 18 can include one or more hook-and-loop fastener strips 34 (see FIG. 6) for engaging a corresponding hook-and-loop fastener strip or strips positioned within the lunchbox or lunch bag. For example, four hook-and-loop fasteners can be used (one adjacent each corner of the base 22) to engage corresponding hook-and-loop fasteners secured to the inner surface of a lunchbox or lunch bag. Thus, the device can be releasably secured within the lunchbox or lunch bag, and readily removed for cleaning including placement in a dishwasher.

The upper portion 14 includes a base 36 and side walls 38 about the perimeter of the base to form a compartment 40. One or more inner walls (not shown) can be provided to define a number of compartments within the upper portion 14, if desired. A recess 42 can be provided in the upper portion 14 to provide a fingerhold for engaging the edge of the cover 16. Likewise, a tab 44 can be provided in a side portion of the upper portion 14 to facilitate lifting and separating the upper portion 14 from the lower portion 12.

The base 36 of the upper portion 14 engages upper surfaces of the lower portion 12 to prevent the contents of one compartment from mixing with the contents of an adjacent compartment. A gasket 48 can be provided to enhance the connection and the seal between the upper and lower portions. If desired, a lower dividing panel 46, which is preferably transparent, including the gasket 48 along its perimeter can be removably seated within the upper interior edges of the side walls 20 of the lower portion 12 to seal the compartments 24 of the lower portion 12. A similar dividing panel, preferably transparent, and gasket can be provided to seal compartment(s) 40 of the upper portion 14, if desired. In an alternative embodiment, one or both of the foregoing gaskets can be used without the dividing panels. In a further embodiment, no panel or gasket need be used.

The back end of the cover 16 includes a pair of hinge pins 50 along the opposed sides thereof which are adapted to engage corresponding sockets 52 formed in the back ends of the side walls 38 of the upper portion 14. Thus, the cover 16 can be extended, relative to the upper portion 14, from a closed position in which the cover sealingly engages the upper portion as shown in FIG. 2 to an open position as shown in FIG. 3 (where a compartment 40 is accessible). A clasp or other closure means (not shown) can be provided along an edge of the cover 16 and along one or more of the side walls 38 of the upper portion 14 to maintain the cover and the upper portion in a closed position.

In a preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the stop members 26 along the back end of each side wall 20 of the lower portion 12 limit the maximum arc of travel of the upper portion 14 relative to the lower portion 12 to generally no more than about 120 degrees. The arc of travel can be as great as about 180 degrees, but should be at least about 90 degrees to provide easy access to the lower compartments of the container. One advantage of limiting the arc of travel of the upper portion 14 relative to the lower portion 12 to between about 90 degrees and about 120 degrees is the upper portion (when opened) is self-supported and does not engage the upper side walls of the lunchbox or lunch bag (see FIG. 3).

The upper portion 14 can also include one or more compartments. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the upper portion 14 includes a single compartment large enough to hold a sandwich or the like. The device is shown removably secured within a soft-sided lunch bag 54 along with a beverage container 56. Access to the compartment(s) in the upper portion 14 is provided by lifting the hinged cover 16 and accessing the compartment(s) from the top. The maximum arc of travel of the cover 16 is similarly and preferably limited to between about 90 degrees and about 120 degrees based on the engagement (or friction fit) of the side or back edges of the cover 16 along the side or back upper surfaces of the upper portion 14. This arrangement maintains the upper portion 14 in a substantively vertical position when the device is secured or positioned within the lunch bag 54.

In an alternative embodiment, the lower surface of the base 36 of the upper portion 14 and the top portions of the inner walls 22 of the lower portion 12 can cooperate to define a recess or cavity for receiving a cold pack or the like. The cold pack, of course, helps cool the contents of the upper and lower portions. In this embodiment, the lower dividing panel 46 would not be used or, if used, the lower dividing panel would preferably include a recessed portion as described herein with reference to FIGS. 7-13.

In use, the lower portion 12 can be used to store wet food items like cottage cheese, applesauce or pudding which are separated from the sandwich stored in the upper portion 14. In particular, when the device is closed with lower dividing panel 46 in position, there is no transfer or leakage of food items from one compartment to the other within the lower portion 12 or from a food item in a compartment in the lower portion 12 to a food item in a compartment in the upper portion 14.

The container can also include a handle portion (not shown) secured to a side wall of either the lower portion 12, the upper portion 14, or both. This facilitates use of the device separate and apart from the lunchbox or lunch bag, if desired. In the alternative, the container can be used as a free-standing lunchbox without a handle.

In a further embodiment, the outer surface(s) of the cover 16 and the outer surface of the base 18 can comprise generally flat panels which can be decorated, for example, with a washable paint, marker or the like. Thus, the container can be decorated and the paint or markings can be easily removed by cleaning the container in a dishwasher. The washable paints or markers can be provided in kit form along with the device depending on how the product is packaged for distribution and sale.

A second, and more preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7-13. As in the first embodiment described herein, the device 60 comprises a rigid container including a lower portion 62, an upper portion 64 hingably connected to the lower portion 62, and a hinged cover 66 secured to the upper portion 64. The foregoing components are molded to nest or press-fit together so that the upper portion can sealingly engage the lower portion and the cover can sealingly engage the upper portion.

The lower portion 62 includes a base 68 and side walls 70 about the perimeter of the base. A series of inner walls 72, along with the side walls 70, define a plurality of lower compartments 74 (see FIG. 13) within the lower portion 62. Three compartments are shown, but more or less compartments can be provided. The back end of each side wall 70 includes a raised portion or stop member 76, each of which includes a bore 78 (see FIG. 7) for receiving an upper portion hinge pin 80 as described herein. In particular, the back ends of opposite sides of the upper portion 64 include opposed cut-away portions 82 and bores 84 for receipt of the corresponding hinge pins 80 for pivotal connection relative to corresponding opposed stop members 76 and bores 78 of the side walls 70 of the lower portion 62.

The lower surface of the base 68 can include one or more hook-and-loop fastener strips 86 (see FIG. 13) for engaging a corresponding hook-and-loop fastener strip or strips positioned within the lunchbox or lunch bag. Thus, as described above with reference to FIG. 6, the device can be releasably secured within the lunchbox or lunch bag, and readily removed for cleaning including placement in a dishwasher.

The upper portion 64 includes a base 88 and side walls 90 about the perimeter of the base to form a compartment 92. One or more inner walls (not shown) can be provided to define a number of compartments within the upper portion 64, if desired.

A lower dividing panel 94, which is preferably transparent, including a gasket 96 along its perimeter can be removably seated within the upper interior edges of the side walls 70 of the lower portion 62 to seal the compartments 74 of the lower portion 62 and prevent the contents of one compartment from mixing with the contents of another compartment. If desired, the lower dividing panel 94 can include additional partition members 98 and gaskets 100 to maintain separation between the compartments, as shown more clearly in FIG. 13. A similar dividing panel 102, also preferably transparent, and gasket 104 can be provided to seal compartment(s) 92 of the upper portion 64, if desired. As described above with reference to FIGS. 1-6, the dividing panels and gaskets are optional.

The back end of the cover 66 includes a pair of hinge pins 106 along the opposed sides thereof which are adapted to engage corresponding bores 108 formed in the back ends of the side walls 90 of the upper portion 64 and the cover 66. Thus, the cover 66 can be extended, relative to the upper portion 64, from a closed position as shown in FIG. 8 to an open position as shown in FIG. 9 (where a compartment 92 is accessible). A latch 110 or other closure means including a slot 112 can be provided along an edge of the cover 66 to engage a catch 114 along one of the side walls 90 of the upper portion 64 to maintain the cover and the upper portion in a closed position. Similarly, a latch 116 or other closure means including a slot 118 can be provided along a side wall 90 of the upper portion 64 to engage a catch 120 along a corresponding side wall 70 of the lower portion 62 to maintain the upper and lower portions in a closed position. Other closure means, as known in the art, can be used.

In a preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the stop members 76 along the back end of each side wall 70 of the lower portion 62 limit the maximum arc of travel of the upper portion 64 relative to the lower portion 62 to generally no more than about 120 degrees. The arc of travel can be as great as about 180 degrees, but should be at least about 90 degrees to provide easy access to the lower compartments of the container. One advantage of limiting the arc of travel of the upper portion 64 relative to the lower portion 62 to between about 90 degrees and about 120 degrees is the upper portion (when opened) is self-supported and does not engage the upper side walls of the lunchbox or lunch bag.

The upper portion 64 can also include one or more compartments. FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in which the upper portion 64 includes a single compartment large enough to hold a sandwich or the like. Access to the compartment(s) in the upper portion 64 is provided by lifting the hinged cover 66 and accessing the compartment(s) from the top. The maximum arc of travel of the cover 66 is similarly and preferably limited to between about 90 degrees and about 120 degrees based on the engagement of the back edge of the cover 66 along the back upper surface of the upper portion 64.

In an alternative embodiment, the lower surface of the base 88 of the upper portion 64 can include an upwardly extending recess (relative to the horizontal plane of connection between the upper and lower portions) and the top portions of the inner walls 72 of the lower portion 62 can include a downwardly extending recess or space to define a cavity for receiving a cold pack or the like to cool the contents of the upper and lower portions. In this embodiment, the lower dividing panel 94, if used, would preferably include a recessed portion to correspond to the shape of the downwardly extending recess or space defined in the lower portion 62.

In use, the lower portion 62 can be used to store wet food items like cottage cheese, applesauce or pudding which are separated from the sandwich stored in the upper portion 64. See FIG. 12. In particular, when the device is closed with the lower dividing panel 94 in position, there is no transfer or leakage of food items from one compartment to the other within the lower portion 62 or from a food item in a compartment in the lower portion 62 to a food item in a compartment in the upper portion 64.

The container can also include a handle 122 secured to a side wall of either the lower portion 62, the upper portion 64, or both. The handle 122 includes handle pins 124 at each end thereof which engage openings 126 defined in a pair of handle yokes 128. This facilitates use of the device separate and apart from the lunchbox or lunch bag, if desired. In the alternative, the container can be used as a free-standing lunchbox without a handle.

The foregoing description and drawings of the present invention are illustrative and are presented by way of example. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art of container design and manufacture, various modifications can be made in the configuration and construction of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. 

1. A storage container for use alone or in combination with a lunchbox or lunch bag, the container comprising: a lower portion defining at least one compartment for holding a food item; an upper portion defining at least one compartment for holding additional food items, said upper portion being hingably connected to the lower portion for movement from a closed position to an open position; and a cover hingably connected to the upper portion for movement from a closed position to an open position, whereby the upper portion effectively seals the lower portion when the upper portion is in the closed position and the cover effectively seals the upper portion when the cover is in the closed position.
 2. The container according to claim 1 including stop means associated with the upper portion and the lower portion to limit the maximum arc of travel of the upper portion relative to the lower portion from the closed position to the open position within a range of about 90 degrees to about 120 degrees.
 3. The container according to claim 1 including stop means associated with the cover and the upper position to limit the maximum arc of travel of the cover relative to the upper portion from the closed position to the open position within a range of about 90 degrees to about 120 degrees.
 4. The container according to claim 1 including a removable panel to separate the upper portion from the lower portion.
 5. The container according to claim 1 including a removable panel to separate the cover from the upper portion.
 6. The container according to claim 1 including means for removably securing the container within the lunchbox or lunch bag.
 7. A food storage container comprising: a lower portion having a base and a plurality of side walls and at least one inner wall defining at least one compartment for receiving at least one food item; an upper portion having a plurality of side walls defining at least one compartment for receiving at least one food item; one side wall of the lower portion being hingably connected to one side wall of the upper portion, the compartment(s) of the lower portion and the compartment(s) of the upper portion being effectively sealed from one another when the container is in a closed position; and stop means associated with the upper portion and the lower portion whereby the maximum arc of travel of the upper portion relative to the lower portion from the closed position to an open position is between about 90 and 120 degrees, whereby the upper portion effectively seals the lower portion when the upper portion is in the closed position.
 8. The food storage container according to claim 7 including a cover hingably connected to the upper portion for sealing the upper portion during use.
 9. The container according to claim 8 including stop means associated with the cover and the upper portion to limit the maximum arc of travel of the cover relative to the upper portion from the closed position to the open position from between about 90 degrees to about 120 degrees.
 10. The container according to claim 7 including a removable panel to separate the upper portion from the lower portion.
 11. The container according to claim 8 including a removable panel to separate the cover from the upper portion.
 12. The food storage container according to claim 7 including means for removably securing the container within a lunchbox or lunch bag. 